HMN Horace Mann Educators Corporation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Horace Mann Educators Corporation (NYSE:HMN) today reported net income of $4.5 million (11 cents per share) and $18.8 million (45 cents per share) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, compared to net income of $23.1 million (52 cents per share) and $46.4 million ($1.04 per share) for the same periods in 2007. Included in net income were net realized losses on securities of $8.1 million ($5.1 million after tax, or 12 cents per share) and $10.5 million ($6.7 million after tax, or 16 cents per share) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively. In the prior year, the second quarter earnings reflected net realized investment losses of $0.9 million ($0.6 million after tax, or 1 cent per share) and the six months reflected net realized investment gains of $2.6 million ($1.7 million after tax, or 4 cents per share). All per-share amounts are stated on a diluted basis. "As previously announced, industry-wide catastrophe losses had an adverse impact on our second quarter net income of approximately 28 cents per share as compared to the same period last year. In addition, Horace Mann's second quarter results also reflected the continued impact of a challenging financial market environment and the adverse effect of a slowing economy on both home and auto sales," said Louis G. Lower II, President and Chief Executive Officer. "That said, our underlying fundamentals of profitability remain solid. For the current accident year and excluding catastrophes, our voluntary auto combined ratio increased somewhat but was within our expectations, and the increase in our property combined ratio on the same basis was driven primarily by non-catastrophe weather-related losses. Meanwhile, for the quarter and year to date -- excluding the impact of the valuation of deferred policy acquisition costs -- both annuity and life segment earnings exceeded prior year." "Due to the significant level of catastrophe costs experienced this quarter, along with the adverse financial market performance in the first six months of the year, we are decreasing our full year 2008 estimate of net income before realized investment gains and losses to between $1.30 and $1.45 per share," Lower stated. "This projection reflects an average level of property and casualty catastrophe losses and relatively flat financial market performance in the second half of the year. The revised estimate also anticipates 5 cents per share of expenses related to the recent decision to consolidate the company's property and casualty field claims offices." In the second quarter of 2008, the company completed its $25 million share repurchase authorization announced in April 2008. During the three months ended June 30, 2008, the company repurchased a total of 1,561,849 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $24.8 million, or an average cost of $15.93 per share. Total shares outstanding on June 30, 2008 and 2007 were 39,061,788 and 43,275,184, respectively. Segment Earnings Net income for the property and casualty segment of $1.9 million for the quarter decreased $16.0 million compared to the same period in 2007, including the $11.3 million increase in after tax catastrophe costs. Pretax catastrophe costs in the current quarter were $22.4 million compared to $4.9 million incurred in the second quarter of 2007. The second quarter 2008 property and casualty combined ratio was 106.7 percent, including 16.6 percentage points due to catastrophe costs, compared to 89.1 percent, including 3.7 percentage points due to catastrophe costs, in the prior year period. Favorable prior years' reserve development totaling $2.4 million was recorded in the current quarter, which represented 1.8 percentage points on the combined ratio, compared to $5.6 million, or 4.2 percentage points on the combined ratio, recorded in the second quarter of 2007. Annuity segment net income of $5.1 million for the quarter was equal to the second quarter of 2007. Compared to the prior year and similar to the first three months of 2008, current period improvements in the interest margin were offset by the adverse impact of the financial markets on both the valuation of deferred policy acquisition costs and the level of contract charges earned. Life segment net income of $5.2 million for the current quarter increased $1.6 million compared to the same period a year earlier, reflecting growth in investment income and lower mortality costs. Segment Revenues The company's total premiums written and contract deposits declined 2 percent compared to both the second quarter and first half of 2007, largely due to expected decreases in single premium annuity deposit receipts in 2008. Property and casualty premiums written increased 2 percent compared to prior year, reflecting lower catastrophe reinsurance premiums and an increase in average property and auto premiums per policy. Annuity new contract deposits decreased 9 percent compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2007. Scheduled, flexible-premium annuity deposit receipts decreased slightly compared to the prior year, while rollover deposits declined approximately 20 percent. Life segment insurance premiums and contract deposits were comparable to the prior year. Sales and Distribution Total new auto sales units were 5 percent and 8 percent lower in the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, than in the prior year periods. "Second quarter true new auto sales volume, while not where we wanted it to be, improved sequentially reflecting productivity gains in the current period," said Lower. Annuity new business decreased 12 percent and 14 percent for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, compared to the same periods a year earlier, primarily due to the expected decline in single premium rollover deposits. "IRS transition regulations for the 403(b) annuity marketplace have reduced new rollover deposits industry-wide," said Lower. The company's career agents produced a 4 percent increase in new flexible- premium annuity business, offset by a decline in this business from independent agents. The number of career agents declined 12 percent to 721 agents at June 30, 2008 compared to 12 months earlier. "As anticipated, our decline in agent count primarily reflects the loss of lower-producing agents and a reduction in new agent hires as we transition our hiring standards to target only those individuals we believe will be successful in the new Agency Business Model," Lower noted. Including 322 licensed producers who work for the agents, Horace Mann's total points of distribution increased to 1,043, a growth of 3 percent over prior year. "We continue to be very pleased with the progress we are making in transitioning to our new Agency Business Model. While it's still early in the migration process, the approximately 200 agents who have completed Horace Mann's agency business school have continued to outperform our other agents in all key productivity measures, with double-digit increases in true new auto units, new flexible annuity premiums and total first year earned commissions in the second quarter, compared to prior year," said Lower. "Agency business school graduate productivity, continued increases in policyholder retention and a consistent growth trend in educator policies in force have helped offset the decline in agent count and the adverse competitive and economic environments, resulting in positive property and casualty written premium growth and only a slight decline in property and casualty policies in force." Realized Investment Gains and Losses In 2008, pretax net realized investment losses were $8.1 million for the second quarter, including $11.2 million of impairment write-downs and $0.3 million of realized impairment losses on securities that were disposed of during the quarter. The impairment write-downs were primarily related to two collateralized debt obligation securities and five equity securities, including four financial industry preferred stock issues. "While we realized additional investment losses this quarter, our conservative investment portfolio continues to serve us well in the current financial market environment," said Lower. Horace Mann -- the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on educators' financial needs -- provides auto and homeowners insurance, retirement annuities, life insurance and other financial solutions. Founded by educators for educators in 1945, the company is headquartered in Springfield, Ill. For more information, visit http://www.horacemann.com/. Statements included in this news release that are not historical in nature are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Horace Mann is not under any obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Please refer to the company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008 and the company's past and future filings and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information concerning the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION Digest of Earnings and Highlights (Unaudited) (Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Data) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 % Change 2008 2007 % Change DIGEST OF EARNINGS Net income $4.5 $23.1 -80.5% $18.8 $46.4 -59.5% Net income per share: Basic $0.11 $0.54 -79.6% $0.46 $1.08 -57.4% Diluted (A) $0.11 $0.52 -78.8% $0.45 $1.04 -56.7% Weighted average number of shares and equivalent shares (in millions) (B): Basic 40.1 43.2 -7.2% 40.6 43.2 -6.0% Diluted (A) 41.2 44.9 -8.2% 41.7 45.1 -7.5% HIGHLIGHTS Operations Insurance premiums written and contract deposits $245.0 $250.8 -2.3% $469.6 $481.1 -2.4% Return on equity (C) 8.5% 15.0% N.M. Property & Casualty GAAP combined ratio 106.7% 89.1% N.M. 100.2% 89.3% N.M. Effect of catastrophe costs on the Property & Casualty combined ratio 16.6% 3.7% N.M. 10.4% 2.7% N.M. Experienced agents 549 577 -4.9% Financed agents 172 244 -29.5% Total agents 721 821 -12.2% Licensed producers 322 187 72.2% Total points of distribution (D) 1,043 1,008 3.5% Additional Per Share Information Dividends paid $0.105 $0.105 0.0% $0.21 $0.21 0.0% Book value (E) $15.13 $15.08 0.3% Financial Position Total assets $6,053.0 $6,476.5 -6.5% Short-term debt - - 0.0% Long-term debt 199.5 199.5 0.0% Total shareholders' equity 591.1 652.5 -9.4% N.M. - Not meaningful. (A) Effective December 31, 2004, the Company adopted EITF Consensus 04-8, "The Effect of Contingently Convertible Instruments on Diluted Earnings per Share". Diluted per share information for all periods is presented on a basis consistent with this consensus. On May 14, 2007, the Company redeemed all remaining Senior Convertible Notes. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, the Senior Convertible Notes represented 0.6 million and 0.9 million equivalent shares and had after tax interest expense of $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively. (B) In November and December 2007, the Company repurchased 1,111,600 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $20.7 million, or an average cost of $18.66 per share. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, the Company repurchased 1,636,376 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $29.5 million, or an average cost of $18.01 per share. During the three months ended June 30, 2008, the Company repurchased 1,561,849 shares of its common stock at an aggregate cost of $24.8 million, or an average cost of $15.93 per share. (C) Based on trailing 12-month net income and average quarter-end shareholders' equity. (D) Includes licensed producers working in exclusive agents' offices and excludes independent agents. (E) Book value per share excluding the fair value adjustment for investments was $16.71 at June 30, 2008 and $15.88 at June 30, 2007. Ending shares outstanding were 39,061,788 at June 30, 2008 and 43,275,184 at June 30, 2007. - 1 - HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION Statements of Operations and Supplemental GAAP Consolidated Data (Unaudited) (Dollars in Millions) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 % Change 2008 2007 % Change STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Insurance premiums and contract charges earned $163.8 $163.5 0.2% $326.3 $324.7 0.5% Net investment income 57.8 55.4 4.3% 114.4 110.3 3.7% Net realized investment gains (losses) (8.1) (0.9) N.M. (10.5) 2.6 N.M. Other income 2.7 3.5 -22.9% 5.3 6.1 -13.1% Total revenues 216.2 221.5 -2.4% 435.5 443.7 -1.8% Benefits, claims and settlement expenses 122.1 100.0 22.1% 229.0 198.4 15.4% Interest credited 32.6 31.6 3.2% 64.7 62.8 3.0% Policy acquisition expenses amortized 18.8 18.2 3.3% 39.8 37.3 6.7% Operating expenses 33.3 34.2 -2.6% 68.1 69.3 -1.7% Amortization of intangible assets 1.6 1.3 23.1% 2.8 2.8 0.0% Interest expense 3.4 3.5 -2.9% 6.8 7.2 -5.6% Total benefits, losses and expenses 211.8 188.8 12.2% 411.2 377.8 8.8% Income before income taxes 4.4 32.7 -86.5% 24.3 65.9 -63.1% Income tax expense (benefit) (0.1) 9.6 N.M. 5.5 19.5 -71.8% Net income $4.5 $23.1 -80.5% $18.8 $46.4 -59.5% ANALYSIS OF PREMIUMS WRITTEN AND CONTRACT DEPOSITS Property & Casualty Automobile and property (voluntary) $137.7 $134.9 2.1% $264.3 $259.4 1.9% Involuntary and other property & casualty 0.8 0.9 -11.1% 1.0 1.7 -41.2% Total Property & Casualty 138.5 135.8 2.0% 265.3 261.1 1.6% Annuity deposits 80.8 89.0 -9.2% 154.7 170.5 -9.3% Life 25.7 26.0 -1.2% 49.6 49.5 0.2% Total $245.0 $250.8 -2.3% $469.6 $481.1 -2.4% ANALYSIS OF SEGMENT NET INCOME (LOSS) Property & Casualty $1.9 $17.9 -89.4% $14.9 $34.7 -57.1% Annuity 5.1 5.1 0.0% 8.1 8.5 -4.7% Life 5.2 3.6 44.4% 7.8 7.2 8.3% Corporate and other (A) (7.7) (3.5) 120.0% (12.0) (4.0) 200.0% Net income 4.5 23.1 -80.5% 18.8 46.4 -59.5% Catastrophe costs, after tax, included above (B) (14.5) (3.2) 353.1% (18.0) (4.8) 275.0% N.M. - Not meaningful. (A) The Corporate and Other segment includes interest expense on debt and the impact of realized investment gains and losses and other corporate level items. The Company does not allocate the impact of corporate level transactions to the insurance segments consistent with how management evaluates the results of those segments. See detail for this segment on page 4. (B) Includes allocated loss adjustment expenses and catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums. See also page 3. - 2 - HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION Supplemental Business Segment Overview (Unaudited) (Dollars in Millions) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 % Change 2008 2007 % Change PROPERTY & CASUALTY Premiums written $138.5 $135.8 2.0% $265.3 $261.1 1.6% Premiums earned 134.5 133.6 0.7% 267.5 265.8 0.6% Net investment income 9.1 9.3 -2.2% 18.3 18.5 -1.1% Other income 0.5 1.2 -58.3% 1.1 1.7 -35.3% Losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) 111.0 86.9 27.7% 202.7 172.9 17.2% Operating expenses (includes policy acquisition expenses amortized) 32.5 32.2 0.9% 65.2 64.6 0.9% Income before tax 0.6 25.0 -97.6% 19.0 48.5 -60.8% Net income 1.9 17.9 -89.4% 14.9 34.7 -57.1% Net investment income, after tax 7.6 7.6 0.0% 15.3 15.2 0.7% Catastrophe costs, after tax (A) 14.5 3.2 353.1% 18.0 4.8 275.0% Catastrophe losses and LAE, before tax 22.4 4.9 357.1% 27.8 7.4 275.7% Reinsurance reinstatement premiums, before tax - - 0.0% - - 0.0% Operating statistics: Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio 82.5% 65.0% N.M. 75.8% 65.0% N.M. Expense ratio 24.2% 24.1% N.M. 24.4% 24.3% N.M. Combined ratio 106.7% 89.1% N.M. 100.2% 89.3% N.M. Effect of catastrophe costs on the combined ratio 16.6% 3.7% N.M. 10.4% 2.7% N.M. Automobile and property detail: Premiums written (voluntary) (B) $137.7 $134.9 2.1% $264.3 $259.4 1.9% Automobile 90.3 89.9 0.4% 182.1 181.5 0.3% Property 47.4 45.0 5.3% 82.2 77.9 5.5% Premiums earned (voluntary) (B) 134.1 131.0 2.4% 267.4 260.7 2.6% Automobile 91.1 91.0 0.1% 182.0 182.1 -0.1% Property 43.0 40.0 7.5% 85.4 78.6 8.7% Policies in force (voluntary) (in thousands) 799 801 -0.2% Automobile 535 536 -0.2% Property 264 265 -0.4% Policy renewal rate (voluntary) Automobile (6 months) 91.3% 91.0% N.M. Property (12 months) 88.8% 87.8% N.M. Voluntary automobile operating statistics: Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio 71.7% 69.9% N.M. 71.4% 69.3% N.M. Expense ratio 24.3% 24.0% N.M. 24.3% 24.4% N.M. Combined ratio 96.0% 93.9% N.M. 95.7% 93.7% N.M. Effect of catastrophe costs on the combined ratio 2.5% 0.7% N.M. 1.4% 0.4% N.M. Total property operating statistics: Loss and loss adjustment expense ratio 106.2% 51.0% N.M. 86.2% 52.2% N.M. Expense ratio 23.9% 25.1% N.M. 24.4% 25.0% N.M. Combined ratio 130.1% 76.1% N.M. 110.6% 77.2% N.M. Effect of catastrophe costs on the combined ratio 47.5% 11.0% N.M. 29.8% 8.6% N.M. Prior years' reserves favorable (adverse) development, pretax Voluntary automobile $2.2 $1.4 57.1% $3.5 $4.4 -20.5% Total property 0.2 4.2 -95.2% 0.6 6.7 -91.0% Other property and casualty - - N.M. 1.0 - N.M. Total 2.4 5.6 -57.1% 5.1 11.1 -54.1% N.M. - Not meaningful. (A) Includes allocated loss adjustment expenses and catastrophe reinsurance reinstatement premiums. (B) Amounts are net of additional ceded premiums to reinstate the Company's property and casualty catastrophe reinsurance coverage, if any, as quantified above. - 3 - HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION Supplemental Business Segment Overview (Unaudited) (Dollars in Millions) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 % Change 2008 2007 % Change ANNUITY Contract deposits $80.8 $89.0 -9.2% $154.7 $170.5 -9.3% Variable 35.3 38.9 -9.3% 70.9 75.4 -6.0% Fixed 45.5 50.1 -9.2% 83.8 95.1 -11.9% Contract charges earned 4.9 5.5 -10.9% 9.6 10.9 -11.9% Net investment income 34.0 32.0 6.2% 67.1 63.5 5.7% Net interest margin (without realized investment gains and losses) 10.9 9.7 12.4% 21.4 19.2 11.5% Other income 1.4 1.3 7.7% 2.7 2.5 8.0% Mortality loss and other reserve changes 0.4 (0.3) N.M. (0.1) (0.6) -83.3% Operating expenses (includes policy acquisition expenses amortized) 8.7 8.0 8.7% 20.2 17.7 14.1% Amortization of intangible assets 1.3 0.9 44.4% 2.2 2.1 4.8% Income before tax 7.6 7.3 4.1% 11.2 12.2 -8.2% Net income 5.1 5.1 0.0% 8.1 8.5 -4.7% Pretax income increase (decrease) due to valuation of: Deferred policy acquisition costs $0.2 $0.5 -60.0% $(2.1) $- N.M. Value of acquired insurance in force (0.3) 0.1 N.M. (0.2) (0.1) 100.0% Guaranteed minimum death benefit reserve - (0.2) -100.0% (0.1) (0.1) 0.0% Annuity contracts in force (in thousands) 168 165 1.8% Accumulated value on deposit $3,600.6 $3,723.7 -3.3% Variable 1,382.7 1,602.8 -13.7% Fixed 2,217.9 2,120.9 4.6% Annuity accumulated value retention - 12 months Variable accumulations 91.8% 91.2% N.M. Fixed accumulations 92.4% 92.4% N.M. LIFE Premiums and contract deposits $25.7 $26.0 -1.2% $49.6 $49.5 0.2% Premiums and contract charges earned 24.4 24.4 0.0% 49.2 48.0 2.5% Net investment income 14.9 14.2 4.9% 29.5 28.1 5.0% Income before tax 7.9 5.7 38.6% 12.3 11.2 9.8% Net income 5.2 3.6 44.4% 7.8 7.2 8.3% Pretax income increase (decrease) due to valuation of: Deferred policy acquisition costs $(0.1) $0.1 N.M. $(0.1) $0.1 N.M. Life policies in force (in thousands) 225 230 -2.2% Life insurance in force $13,647 $13,470 1.3% Lapse ratio - 12 months (Ordinary life insurance) 5.6% 5.9% N.M. CORPORATE AND OTHER (A) Components of loss before tax: Net realized investment gains (losses) $(8.1) $(0.9) N.M. $(10.5) $2.6 N.M. Interest expense (3.4) (3.5) -2.9% (6.8) (7.2) -5.6% Other operating expenses, net investment income and other income (0.2) (0.9) -77.8% (0.9) (1.4) -35.7% Loss before tax (11.7) (5.3) 120.8% (18.2) (6.0) 203.3% Net loss (7.7) (3.5) 120.0% (12.0) (4.0) 200.0% N.M. - Not meaningful. (A) The Corporate and Other segment includes interest expense on debt and the impact of realized investment gains and losses and other corporate level items. The Company does not allocate the impact of corporate level transactions to the insurance segments consistent with how management evaluates the results of those segments. - 4 - HORACE MANN EDUCATORS CORPORATION Supplemental Business Segment Overview (Unaudited) (Dollars in Millions) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 % Change 2008 2007 % Change INVESTMENTS Annuity and Life Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost 2008, $3,223.7; 2007, $3,125.9) $3,137.5 $3,075.2 2.0% Equity securities, at fair value (cost 2008, $52.9; 2007, $13.5) 47.7 13.5 253.3% Short-term investments 52.4 47.1 11.3% Short-term investments, securities lending collateral 63.1 350.1 -82.0% Policy loans and other 104.3 98.7 5.7% Total Annuity and Life investments 3,405.0 3,584.6 -5.0% Property & Casualty Fixed maturities, at fair value (amortized cost 2008, $682.9; 2007, $753.5) 671.3 745.4 -9.9% Equity securities, at fair value (cost 2008, $39.9; 2007, $8.5) 37.0 8.7 325.3% Short-term investments 26.1 20.8 25.5% Short-term investments, securities lending collateral - - 0.0% Total Property & Casualty investments 734.4 774.9 -5.2% Corporate investments 4.1 4.3 -4.7% Total investments 4,143.5 4,363.8 -5.0% Net investment income Before tax $57.8 $55.4 4.3% $114.4 $110.3 3.7% After tax 39.3 37.6 4.5% 77.8 74.9 3.9% Net realized investment gains (losses) by investment portfolio included in Corporate and Other segment gain (loss) Property & Casualty $(1.5) $0.1 N.M. $(1.7) $0.4 N.M. Annuity (7.7) 0.2 N.M. (11.1) 3.4 N.M. Life 1.1 (1.2) N.M. 2.3 (1.2) N.M. Corporate and Other - - 0.0% - - 0.0% Total, before tax (8.1) (0.9) N.M. (10.5) 2.6 N.M. Total, after tax (5.1) (0.6) N.M. (6.7) 1.7 N.M. Per share, diluted $(0.12) $(0.01) N.M. $(0.16) $0.04 N.M. N.M. - Not meaningful. - 5 - DATASOURCE: Horace Mann Educators Corporation CONTACT: Dwayne D. Hallman, Senior Vice President - Finance of Horace Mann Educators Corporation, +1-217-788-5708 Web site: http://www.horacemann.com/

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